An Introduction to Thrift Store Shopping

Introduction to Thrift Store Shopping

“Thrift stores?! What do you think I am…a CHARITY CASE?!”

"Oh the horror!...OHHH! The BARGAINS!"

No matter what part of our social spectrum you inhabit, you’ve no doubt at least felt a twinge of curiosity when passing your local thrift store. A part of you may feel uncomfortable, in the “by the grace of God there go I” kind of way. Some of you may even feel lured by the little antique you saw in the window, but shiver at the thought of walking in. There are probably horrible things in there. Somebody from your local PTA may see you. The cashier looks like an inmate. You might get cooties. Whatever the reason, you’ve never walked in.

Now, however, as the economic crisis touches every family (and we all have to buckle down and notice every dollar’s worth), there’s a booming interest in discovering what second-hand shopping is all about.

I’ve already addressed, in several posts now, how to shop for specific items. But this one’s about actually walking in the door.

Granted, not all thrift stores have the designer-donated things that places in New York City like Housing Works and Angel Street do. Your local Salvation Army may look like a fluorescent prison laundry (though they’re changing fast). The cashier may well be a recent parolee, and you might be baskets of unmentionables. Used ones.

Let me just find my rubber gloves...

Don’t be afraid. There’s good to be had and treasures to discover in every thrift store.

Walking in the Door of a Thrift Store

The easiest way to discover a thrift store is to bring a bag of donations. The trip has already been worthwhile, as not only will you get a tax-deductible receipt, but you’ll also feel great with the knowledge that someone, somewhere, will be ever so grateful to have something from your closet. Just IN CASE, wear leggings and a fitted tank top under your clothing so that you can slip in and out of anything you might like to try on without getting buck nekkid in the often ill-equipped dressing rooms. Bring a pair of footies or knee-highs to try on shoes. You might also bring antibacterial hand gel if you’re prone to heebie jeebies.

Use Tim Gunn as your Guide

One of my biggest dreams is to go shopping in a thrift store with Tim Gunn. He’s so kind, so knowledgeable and so confident, I just know I’d walk out of a thrift store looking like a million.

Until then, I can at least pretend that he’s with me. For you, as a second-hand virgin, it might help to look at a thrift store through Tim Gunn’s eyes. I challenge you to a simple game. Tim has wisely discovered that women need only a few basics in their wardrobe, what he calls his “10 Essential Elements.” Not everyone can afford to walk into Macy’s and scoop these pieces off the racks.

We’ve made a handy dandy printable guide, The Second-Hand Guide to Tim Gunn’s 10 Essential Elements, with tips and advice on how to shop for each of Tim’s pieces in a thrift store. We’ve also made a fun, in-depth video, Thrifting Tim Gunn’s 10 Essential Elements, to help you on your way.

With this information knocking around in your brain, begin perusing the racks. This is just a game, mind you. A game that engages your creativity and sense of discovery, and that’s good for your brain. There’s no obligation to buy a single thing.

Report

Finally, once you’ve finished, no matter your experience, come here and tell us all about it. I want to hear everything from success to horror stories, and your input will help hundreds of people who are looking at the same thing. As extra incentive, one lucky reporter will win something that I’ve picked up in Paris (I’ve got a lot of beautiful little things to choose from)!

We’re here for you, and we’re rooting for you!
Talk soon and all best,
Nicole & the Thrift Store Confidential Team